YOUR CART

Working Equitation

Aim

Riders are required to negotiate a number of obstacles, ultimately at the walk and canter but with walk and trot at the lower levels. The courses are designed to show the rider’s ability to control their horse’s paces correctly and to display trust and empathy between horse and rider as well as the horse’s acceptance and trust of and response to the rider’s aids. The ultimate aim is to ride the obstacle course as in a dressage test, showing obedience and collection in walk and canter with the reins in one hand (the left) throughout the test. The horse should be participating with his rider showing no insecurity or hesitation at the obstacles. Accuracy, balance and lightness should be demonstrated from one obstacle to the next.

Working Equitation should be judged on the classical principles, which is without force, showing true empathy between horse and rider and the horse working with the rider not for the rider

History

Working Equitation is growing at an incredible rate in Australia today. The working equitation discipline originated in Portugal, and is based on the need for horse to accept and tolerate any strange obstacle they may encounter during everyday field work around cattle and stock.

Working Equitation became recognised as a competitive sport in 1996 with the first European Championships taking place that year in Italy. It is now a recognised sport in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Mexico and most recently, Australia, having secured considerable following in each of these countries.

The characteristics of Working Equitation lead to its huge success and the four initial countries in which trials of this type were used - Portugal, Spain, France and Italy – were promptly expanded to other countries such as Germany, Belgium, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, Holland, Czech Republic, San Marino, Brazil, Colombia, Slovenia, USA and Mexico.

Australia’s W.E governing body, WEGBI has its patron Gill Kennerley to thank for introducing the sport to Australia and becoming the founder of working equitation in Australia in 2009

All breeds are welcome in theirtraditional/acceptable competition attire;

· Andalusian

· Warmblood

· Western, Paint, Quarter Horse

· Traditional

· Pony Club

· Australian Stock Horse

· Pony breeds

Upgrade your skills,join our club today!

Give it a go!

Regular training/practice days are held at Mulgoa, with kind and gentle instructors and assistants to guide you through every obstacle and phase, to answer your questions and encourage you along the way, all to prepare you for your first competition!